Sounders playoffs: Seattle needs a win with L.A. a leg up

The Sounders trek down to Carson, Calif., to play the second leg of their Western Conference semifinal down 1-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday ( 6 p.m., ESPN). The aggregate-goal setup puts the club in a position that forces at least a two-goal win for advancement. If the Sounders lead by a goal at the end of regulation, then a 30-minute overtime period, split into two 15-minute sessions, would follow. After that, penalty kicks.

But those are big ifs. Seattle is wrestling with an opponent that has dominated it this season. Los Angeles, winner of the Supporter’s Shield with the most points in the league, is 3-0 against the Sounders in league play. It has outscored Seattle 8-1 in three MLS meetings. The Sounders have not scored in 300 minutes of playoff play, dating back to last season. Logic says the Sounders will not become the third team in MLS history to lose the opening leg of a semifinal at home then advance. Though, hope is not typically based in logic.

“We’re excited and I think we are ready tactically,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. “It’s one of those things. Their tactical game plan last time was set a certain way, they got a goal and it worked for them. If we would’ve finished our chances then everybody would’ve said their tactical plan was bad. That’s the way it is.

“If we can put 15 shots, if we can put eight to 10 shots on goal and force [Donovan] Ricketts into saves I think we will get the goals we need.”

It’s an excellent premise. Problem is, Seattle did that in the opening leg. The Sounders produced 15 shots, eight on goal, and none went in. The best chance came from the right foot of Nate Jaqua late. Thanks to the Sounders’ inability to convert their ideal shots and Edson Buddle’s blessed bend from 30 yards away, the Sounders sit on the wrong side of history.

“I used to have a player I coached in L.A. that used to say 1-0 is nothing,” Schmid said. “You can make up 1-0 in three minutes, so we have 90 minutes to make up 1-0. I think the field in L.A. suits us. It plays wide. We are looking forward to playing them.”

Hubris? Probably not. More ambition. The coach not saying he believes would be news. Here, it’s expected.

Which leaves the doing. Defender Jeff Parke is likely out with a sprained ankle. Designated player Blaise Nkufo was quiet in the opener. Steve Zakuani was shut down on the flanks.

Los Angeles will pack it in for the majority of the match, making it even more difficult for Seattle to score its second goal against the Galaxy this year